Question : Coverage under EPF Pension Scheme

(a) whether the Government initiated steps to extend the minimum pension scheme implemented for EPF pensioners and if so, the action taken thereon;
(b) whether the Government proposes to reduce the pension from the pensioners till their death to those who commute their pension and if so, the reasons therefor and whether the Government formulated scheme for recovery of commuted amount from the pensioners and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it has comes to the notice of the Government that the minimum pension Rs. 1000/- has not been disturbed to all the pensioners due to various reasons and if so, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government proposes to extend medical facilities to its pensioners and if so, the details thereof along with the number of pensioners who would be benefited; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to change the nomenclature and rules applicable to EPFO and ESIC and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a): Yes, Madam.
(b): The option for commutation was withdrawn from Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995 vide G.S.R.688 (E) dated 26.09.2008. Under the provision of EPS, 1995, the commuted pension was effective for life.
Contd..2/-
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The commuted value of pension was paid at the time of claim itself. There was no restoration of the commuted pension. As the commuted pension is for life, there is no scheme for recovery of commuted amount.
(c): Consequent to the implementation of the minimum pension notification vide GSR 593 (E) dated 19.08.2014, the pension of all member/ widow(er)/disabled/nominee/dependent parent pensioners whose original pensions were less than Rs. 1,000/- per month had been fixed at the minimum of Rs.1,000/- per month. In cases where members had preferred option for Commutation, Return of Capital and Short Service Pension and have already availed these benefits as per choice exercised by them at the time of making pension claim, the deductions on account of these options would continue to apply on the minimum pension of Rs. 1,000/- per month that has now been fixed. In such cases the pension amount would be less than Rs.1,000/- per month even after implementation of the notification.
(d): There is no proposal to extend medical facilities to the pensioners of EPS, 1995 at present.
(e): There is no proposal to change nomenclature of Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948. However, proposals to amend both these Acts are under consideration of the Government.

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